Fort Worth Star-Telegram Highlights The Button Law Firm Holding Lionheart Children’s Academy Leadership Accountable

Ignored Complaints and Ongoing Abuse

According to the Star-Telegram feature, employees of Lionheart repeatedly reported concerns about the teacher, Thaddaeus Davidson, including inappropriate touching, kissing children on the lips, having children sit on his lap or with their legs wrapped around him, and taking photos of children in the bathroom.

In July 2022, one teacher emailed the director detailing that Davidson was “touching little girls in class inappropriately, tickling them underneath their dresses” and rubbing their thighs during a movie. Despite these reports, leadership did not remove Davidson from classroom duties and did not report these incidents to the state, violating mandatory reporting laws. Investigations later confirmed abuse of several children, including the toddler at the center, and cited Lionheart for failing to report suspected abuse and ensure proper supervision.

Holding Leadership Accountable

“This lawsuit is about accountability and prevention,” says Russell Button, a daycare and child injury lawyer at The Button Law Firm, who represents the family. “Daycare leadership is responsible for ensuring children are safe and for taking immediate action when employees raise concerns. When leaders ignore warnings or fail to report abuse, every child in their care is at risk. Our goal is to hold Lionheart accountable so that other families do not experience the same trauma.”

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram emphasizes that the lawsuit is not only about the actions of one teacher, but about the systemic failures in leadership that allowed abuse to continue unchecked. By holding directors and supervisors accountable, The Button Law Firm is sending a message to daycare centers across Texas that ignoring employee reports of suspected abuse is unacceptable.

Protecting Families and Ensuring Safety

The case highlighted in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in childcare settings. At The Button Law Firm, we fight for families every day and want to fight for your family. We are committed to protecting children, advocating for justice, and ensuring daycare centers follow the law to prevent abuse.

If your child has been harmed because a daycare ignored warning signs or failed to report suspected abuse, reach out to The Button Law Firm. Families can contact us by phone at 214-699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or through our contact page. We provide guidance, support, and strong legal representation for families seeking accountability and safety for their children.